Referee Suspended Following Georgia-Auburn Game

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has suspended veteran referee Ken Williamson for the remainder of the 2025 college football season due to controversial officiating during Georgia’s 20-10 victory over Auburn on Oct. 11.

Williamson’s suspension was due to a handful of controversial calls made during the game.

Williamson, who was the crew chief in that game, had previously informed the league of his intention to retire after the season.

Terry McAulay, a rules analyst for NBC Sports, criticized the severity of Williamson’s suspension.

“I think this does set a very dangerous precedent,” said McAulay. “I mean, it’s basically succumbing to the masses who want every official’s head on a post after a difficult loss where there were maybe some controversial calls.”

  Georgians in National Gambling Scheme

Three men, two of them Georgia residents, implicated in a nationwide gambling scheme involving NBA head coach Chauncey Billups and NBA player Terry Rozier, appeared in Macon’s federal court on Thursday.

The individuals were among 34 charged across two indictments involving mafia-backed, rigged poker games that cheated victims of at least $7 million, and an illegal sports betting scheme in which gamblers used insider information to bet on seven NBA games between March 2023 and March 2024.

The NBA has placed both Billups and Rozier on leave and is cooperating with the investigation.

“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the NBA said in a statement.

$5 Million in Energy Assistance

The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved $5 million in energy assistance for qualifying gas customers.

Approximately $2 million will be allocated to support the nearly 13,000 customers enrolled in the Atlanta Gas Light Senior Citizen Discount Program. Those enrolled will save $194 on their November gas bills and on subsequent bills until the funds are exhausted.

To qualify for the program, customers must be at least 65 years old with a combined household income within 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Most of the remaining funds will go to HopeWorks, a nonprofit, and the Salvation Army Utility Assistance Program.

➤ Metro Atlanta: The area has entered a Level D3 “extreme” drought for the first time since late 2019, with multiple counties affected. (See Details)

➤ Acworth: State officials have approved plans for a new $1 billion Wellstar hospital, which will create 1,500 jobs and feature 230 beds, 70 emergency department bays, and eight operating rooms. (More)

➤ Savannah: An air release valve failure caused approximately 7,000 gallons of sewage to spill onto the 1991 GA-25 Connector. (More)

➤ Dublin: The Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) has filed a lawsuit against Dublin City Schools and the Dublin City Board of Education, alleging that a Hillcrest Elementary School teacher was wrongfully terminated. (See Details)

➤ Wilcox County: A fire at the Doster Peanut Company destroyed a shed housing 20 semitrucks containing drying peanuts. (More)

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➤ No. 7 Georgia Tech football takes on Syracuse today at noon, followed by Georgia Southern against Arkansas State later this evening. UGA is on bye this week. (More)

➤ Former Georgia State basketball coach Bob Reinhart passed away earlier this week at the age of 87. Reinhart led the Panthers from 1985-1994, accruing a then-record 107 wins over the nine-year period. (More)

➤ Georgia 5-star quarterback commit Jared Curtis visited Vanderbilt’s practice earlier this week and is expected to attend the No. 10 ranked Commodores’ game against No. 15 Missouri later today. Recruiting services have given no indication that the No. 1 quarterback in 2026 might flip his commitment, but questions have been raised by fans. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAF | Soccer | Golf | Tennis

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➤ The University of North Georgia achieved a record enrollment of 20,317 students this fall, a 5.3% increase from last year. (More)

➤ Trader Joe’s will open its new 8,608-square-foot store in Peachtree City on Oct. 27. (More)

➤ Dougherty County Police are partnering with PetSmart to gather stuffed animal donations, which will be distributed through Albany’s Recreation and Parks Department to bring holiday joy to children and families. (More)

You have to respect it!

Do you shop at Trader Joe’s?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Sometimes

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you enjoy riding bicycles for exercise?

1. Yes: 37%
2. No: 34%
3. No opinion: 29%

In which Georgia county would you find the starting point (or ending point) for the Appalachian Trail?

Show me the answer